Uriah Shockley

d.b.a, Rockwall Home Inspections

101 Oakridge Drive

Rockwall, Texas 75032

www.rockwallhomeinspections.com

(972) 772-6050

 

U.S. Department of Transportation September 1, 2015

Federal Aviation Administration

800 Independence Ave S W

Washington, D. C. 20591

Attention: 

Brittany Newton

Program Analyst, Airmen and

Airspace Rules Division

Dear Ms. Newton,

Thank you the opportunity to present additional information to support my request for section 

333 exemption and COA waiver for commercial use of a small UAS.

This letter is to address:

 How my request benefits the general public as a whole

 Additional information, views or arguments available to support request

How Use of UAS (Petitioners Request) Would Benefit the General Public as a Whole

An in depth research study by 32 public and private sector businesses such as Red Cross, Zurich 

North America, USAA and others show that drones are highly beneficial in four stages of the of 

the disaster cycle: prevention, preparation, response and recovery. Studies also show that through 

the use of drones; individuals, businesses and communities can limit their loss by planning in 

advance, reduce overall damage and losses while allowing rebuilding and recovery of a 

community to begin more rapidly, which, overall strengthens a community’s resiliency to 

recover from a catastrophe. (Red Cross Study attached at end of addendum as extra information 

to support request) 

In advance of disasters petitioner could make UAS services available to City Emergency 

planners and responders for risk assessment, mapping, planning and monitoring.

After a disaster the petitioner could make UAS available on short notice to local area emergency 

responders to get a high in the sky overall picture of catastrophe so emergency workers can 

quickly evaluate the level of disaster and formulate a faster, more efficient, and safer plan for 

emergency responders. Petitioner could assist with search and rescue, perform structural 

inspections of homes and buildings so individuals and business can request insurance claims 

faster. UAS could be used to assess ongoing threats without risking the safety of rescue teams.
After a disaster the use of a drone can also help rescue crews work safer by identifying potential 

dangers they cannot see on the ground. UAS could also, be used to search areas considered to 

hazardous for rescue workers to access. 

the Petitioner would make UAS available to insurance companies to help with disaster risk 

assessment, provide unique photos of disaster sights so insurance companies can anticipate the 

level of response they will need in the stricken disaster area for processing claims for victims.

Major Benefits to Communities According to Red Cross Research study

 Reduce exposure of rescue responders, claims adjusters, and risk engineers to 

unnecessary dangers.

 UAS can help the effectiveness of responders.

 Supply responders with unique viewing angles not possible by manned aircraft.

 UAS is easily and rapidly deployable for emergency situations on short notice.

 UAS is cost effective for communities.

 Rapidly assess disaster stricken areas.

 Mapping of flood plains and flood levels.

 Rapid cost assessment of damage.

 Search and rescue.

 Faster assessment of damage to city and community infrastructures such as roads, 

communication towers, water towers, electrical service lines, burst water lines

 Drones can help disaster areas rebuild faster strengthening the resiliency of communities 

to recovery from catastrophes. 

Agencies the Petitioner Could Work With for the Benefit of General Public/Communities

FEMA: Petitioner could rapidly deploy drone for disaster assessment and planning for 

 emergency coordinators.

Red Cross: Petitioner could rapidly deploy drone for disaster assessment and planning for 

 emergency coordinators

Insurance Companies: Petitioner could rapidly deploy drone for disaster assessment and planning 

 for emergency coordinators and claims adjusters.
Fire/ rescue Departments: UAS can help with search and rescue, assess fire conditions, monitor 

 fires, inform responders of impending dangers so they can work 

safely. Gather data in areas considered dangerous to ground 

 personnel. Search areas considered too hazardous for responders.

 Search areas considered inaccessible for ground responders.

Police/Sherriff Department: Search for lost persons, provide tactical surveillance, locate 

 suspects, assist in accident investigation and monitor crowds.

Parks and Wild Life: Assist in monitoring drought conditions, lake and river levels, fire 

 conditions, search and rescue for missing boaters, swimmers and hikers.

City and County Planners: Petitioner could supply City planners and Emergency planners 

 unique aerial photos for the growth and development of new 

 subdivisions as they plan for the safety and response required for 

 residents of the new and upcoming communities. Assist counties with 

 community developments and new infrastructures

Miscellaneous Benefits to General Public

While performing aerial inspections the petitioner could demonstrate and inform the general 

public (clients) on the proper use of UAS’s/Drones and educate them on FAA “Know before you 

fly” program and where they can learn more from FAA website and videos.

Petitioner, could assist in the introduction of UAS/Drones to the general public for beneficial 

uses in a responsible manner for community planners, disasters planners, developers, lending 

institutions, home buyers and sellers.

With a, section 333 exemption and COA waiver, The petitioner could create extra income for 

individuals by hiring them to assist with keeping sight of UAS and monitor skies for any low 

flying manned aircraft. Other jobs created could be for photo editors and software specialist to 

edit and correct photos.
Additional information, Views, or Arguments Available to Support Request

Special Note: Executive Summary of the Zurich North America/Red Cross Study, sponsored by 

32 private and public institutions is attached at end of addendum as extra information to support 

benefits of “general public” the larger report was not attached due to size. However, since FAA 

was one of the public sector participants the FAA is more than aware of the study.

The petitioner is excited about the program to introduce the use of drones in relief efforts and is 

anxious to make UAS services available to local fire, police, sheriff and city emergency 

planners. If exemption is approved, petitioner would look to add another UAS with slightly 

better photo capabilities in the future for emergencies only.

Since petitioner is using his own finances to make a drone available to emergency responders it 

would be a great benefit to petitioner to be allowed exemption to work commercially. The 

petitioner could conduct other private sector aerial inspections to create income to invest into 

more capable drones. The benefit to communities and the general public is that it allows me to 

build capital to invest in batteries and drones to keep one ready to fly at all times just for 

emergency responders

Again, Petitioner is excited about the ground floor opportunity to assists community emergency 

responders with the latest cutting edge of technology for disaster relief.

Please give me wings, I’m ready to fly!!!

Best Regards

Uriah Shockley

101 Oakridge drive

Rockwall, TX 75032

214-236-8242 cell

972-772-6050 office